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Sure when we think of doing something grand or realising of our master plan, we most of the time over complicate things. We start planning...
Sure when we think of doing something grand or realising of our master plan, we most of the time over complicate things. We start planning an exotic vacation, browsing expensive pro tools, or scrolling down high productions Instagram profiles. We are doing so because we are so fixated on having the best of the best for us. Because we’re worth it.
I’m not saying that one shouldn’t dream of having fancy or more beautiful things in life, but those are not achievable right here and right now.
This is true enough, and I am a firm believer in this saying. I made it my mantra. Whenever I stray away from my focus, or when I hold myself back from doing something because I don’t have the right “tools”, I would tell myself this.
I've learned that the only thing that was stopping me is myself.
So I went out during sunrise to my favourite spots where I dreamed of a picturesque landscape when I was little.
Because for when I don’t know where to start, home is the right place to be. And sometimes we are blind to the beauty that is around us.
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Travel iPhoneography - Techniques
Everybody is taking photos nowadays. However, if you want to become a better photographer, you need to pick up some fundamentals. In...
Everybody is taking photos nowadays. However, if you want to become a better photographer, you need to pick up some fundamentals. In this post series, we will look into the photography basics which you can apply and grasp quickly with simple, little to no cost and practical.
This tips are coming from my personal experience, and feel free to check out my work on Instagram and DM me over there to keep in touch. Salud!
Preparation
Clear the space
Use
Google Photos
App – free to download from the AppStore.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection.
You may choose High quality (free unlimited storage) or Original (limited storage).
I use limited high-resolution camera upload as I have photos from other cameras as well.
Go to the menu and tap Free Up Space
Have a backup battery
Make sure you always have a backup battery either a power bank or a battery case.
I use a power bank as it holds a lot of charges, but I found it to be less practical as I never used up all the backup power. Maybe you may use a battery case instead.
Set HDR
HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a function on the iPhone to compensate blown out details on a bright, harsh light.
Though it doesn't work in every situation, it is safe to turn it on.
Turn on Keep The Original function. Go to "Settings > Photos & Camera > Keep Normal Photo" and turn the switch on.
Turn HDR to "On" in Camera Mode.
After shooting, you can review if the Original or HDR version is better.
Set Grid
On the iPhone, the grid is not set by default. To turn on the grid, go to "Settings > Photos & Camera > Grid" and turn the switch on.
Using the grid, it is easier to compose your photo by having the guide.
These lines won't appear in your photos.
Clean the Lens
It seems like no-brainer advice, but this is a crucial thing to do.
Make sure to clean the lens at all times. Every time.
Use soft fabric or your cotton cloth to clean the lens and refrain from touching the glass with your finger.
Get Ready
Always keep your phone in your hand. Be a master of Slide to Shoot function on your iPhone.
Be ready when walking, in moving vehicle or even when you waiting for food at the street stall.
Extra tips: Turn your phone on silence mode, Do Not Disturb, or Airplane mode.
On Scene
Slide to Shoot
When your phone is locked, press the power button and slide the screen to the left to enter Camera mode.
Burst Mode
In burst mode, you can take many photos per second to capture a fast-moving subject.
To use burst mode, tap and hold the shutter. Many shots will appear on the screen indicating that the burst mode is on.
Once done, you may view the photo and select the best picture, and you may delete the rest.
When to use burst mode? Try shooting a jumping action, flying birds, or while on moving vehicle.
Rapid Tap
Alternative to the Burst Mode, rapid tapping capture series of shots in full resolutions.
However, make sure you would be able to focus, or lock your focus beforehand and aim.
Be careful not to miss the desired subject placement as rapid tapping is slower than burst mode.
Use the Volume Button
Did you know that there is a physical shutter button on the iPhone?
The side volume buttons can function as a shutter button.
It is useful to use it as a one-handed shooting operation. Whether in portrait or landscape mode, it is a welcome feature when your hands are busy.
Take many version
It is recommended to take a lot of versions of the same subject when shooting.
Tune up and down the exposure to see the same shot in a different light.
Tilt your phone up and down to change the perspective.
Push the low horizon lower to fill the upper horizon with space or try it the other way around.
Review when convenience
Before you move on to your subject, review your shots if it is convenient. Check if your shot is correct.
Adjust the screen brightness to the brightest to see better under the blazing sun.
Post Processing
Rotating
The first thing that you need to do before jumping to even viewing each photo is rotating.
Rotate your photos that are not in the right dimension.
In "Photos" app, open a photo, the "Sliders" icon, and tap the most left icon to access "Crop", "Rotate" and "Straighten" function.
At the same time, correct the horizon straightening it to match the straightening grid. Do this for all the photos.
Favourites
Go again to your photos one by one, but this time get ready to touch that "Heart" icon to add to “Favourite” album.
Don’t worry if you add the same subject in many photos to "Favourite" album.
Once done, go to the "Favourite" album, and start picking which is the best of the many version. Go on and remove favourite on the photos that are not good. Do this until you only have one picture chosen per subject.
Retouch
Look into your photos, and find a picture that needs to be retouch or clone out.
I’m using
Touch Retouch
. It’s a paid app, and I’m happy with my purchase. But if you are looking for a free option, try
Snapseed
, or
Photoshop Express
.
As an example, you may want to remove out are thrash, wires, extra people, and cut parts from the frame.
Fix Perspective Distortion
Sometimes, the photo needs more straightening than just the horizon.
A good example of this is building, as we often tilt the phone to capture the building.
I use
SKRWT
(pronounced Screw It) to fix the perspective. It’s a paid app, but it has robust setting tools.
But for ease of use, you may stick to the free options such as tools found in
Snapseed
,
VSCO
, or
MIX by Camera 360
.
Editing
Based on your personal taste, editing should vary among individuals.
My edits are vintage style, and I use
VSCO
to achieve the look. My go-to preset are P, A, KK, and C or E.
Since every photo is unique and requires a different edit, we will not go to look into the details here. But, it is safer to suggest a minimal use of preset intensity, so it does not look over dramatic.
In most cases, the Exposure, Contrast, Shadow Save and Highlight Save are your best tool.
Sometimes, not all colour should present in your photo. Some things that appear in your picture may compete for attention to your main subject.
Lower down their appearance by adjusting the Hue, Saturation, and Luminance.
For this, I use a free app called
MIX by Camera 360
. Go to Edit Toolbox, and find HSL.
For example, the red colour in this photo is competing with my main subject. I can tune it down, so my photo feels more straightforward and focused.
This is the first post on the Photography Basics - Travel iPhoneography series. Tune in every week for more content.
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Travel iPhoneography - Subjects 03
The Old Fashion Costumes Though people in costumes is a hit or miss opportunity, you may find them mostly in places of worship. Ho...
The Old Fashion
Costumes
Though people in costumes is a hit or miss opportunity, you may find them mostly in places of worship. However, the convenience of having an iPhone everywhere you go is helpful to shoot photos of people in costume when they appear.
Look far ahead in your vision and try to spot them from far. While you get ready for your camera setting, wait till they enter the frame, compose and shoot.
Festive
This subject requires you to research beforehand. Read up on the festive date and location before travelling. The most probable area to be happening is during the morning time or night time in places of worship.
You need to be focused here as there are probably will be too many things happening at once. Take it easy and start from one subjects to another.
People
Probably the holy grail of travel photography is to capture the portrait of the local people. Try getting comfortable connecting with the locals. To start, you may pretend asking for directions, and start chatting up with them.
Respect personal space and always ask for permission. Also, try to shoot when the people are not looking. Just remember to be stealthy.
Praying
When you are in the places of worship, try to stay a little bit longer until you blend in. When you think the time is right, get up to be closer to people practising rituals and prayers. You may practice at your own places of worship and be stealth is essential here.
Village
If time permits, take a detour trip to village areas nearby. They could be not too far away from the city. Always have in mind, the scenic route is much rewarding than the highway. After all, it’s the journey that counts, not the destination. Practice at you own hometown just to see how beautiful nearby places are instead of thinking of places on the other half of the world.
Transportation
Bicycle
To add some extra details to your travel photography, capture the mode of transport in the area. Bicycles are always evergreen, and the people who are riding a bike is more interesting to photograph. Mind you not to look up for the professional bicycle riders as their sporty outfit and the modern bicycle doesn't match with our theme.
Boats
This is my favourite transportation to photograph. Look up into your destination for a pier, fisherman village, ferry or even riverboats. Boats are wonderful as they are not usually available, but it is easily recognisable.
Taxis
Most people would never consider taxis as exotic, but they do in some ways. Think of the Yellow Cab of New York City or the London Black Cab. Taxis are usually in bright colour, for the same reason, we could consider the Yellow Bus school too.
Some places have different kinds of taxi such as Tuks-Tuks, water taxi, and motorcycle taxi.
Trains
Find out if there are railway stations in the place you are travelling. Modern trains don't count as we are avoiding photos that don't feel exotic. Here you may practice leading lines from the railway tracks and the elongated train sides. Make use of the train windows and doors for framing techniques.
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Travel iPhoneography - Subjects 02
Locations Bridges At the bridge, you can find so many potential photography subjects. You may shoot the bridge structure, the v...
Locations
Bridges
At the bridge, you can find so many potential photography subjects. You may shoot the bridge structure, the vehicle crossing, the water, the boat, the children playing in the water and people fishing to name a few.
However, don’t try to put too many subjects in one frame. Focus on one subjects at a time. Take advantage of the lines to compose your photos with leading lines, diagonal lines, repetitions and moving subjects.
Markets
A more challenging place for you to capture is the market. But, if done right, it will rewards you with compelling photos.
Give priority to well-lit corners of the market to avoid the low light problem. Here you may create repetitions from the baskets, produces neatly arranged on the table, and portraits of the people
You will usually meet local elderly here, and they would be charming and chatty. Look for porters who bring in and out carts and trolleys. They also add a interesting story to your photos.
The most exciting market I’ve been was the flowers market and the pets market, which fulfil both my personal and photographic pleasures.
Places of Worship
Built to impress, timeless and exotic in every inch of the building, places of worship is definitely a must in your photo set.
Focus on the whole building to capture a sense of the majestic quality of the construction. Look for the main doors, roof features, pillars, and the front yard.
Respect the house rules and put on your stealth mode, i.e. silence your phone.
Streets
Coloured Walls
While walking around and about, do not miss the opportunity of coloured walls. Bold colours and simple background work best. Look for texture details such as peeling paints, shadows, and unusual objects.
Also, you may capture people passing by or ask your friends to pose for you for a quick fun portrait.
Vendors
While you might not be interested in buying or eating anything on the street, the street vendors are a welcome addition to your photography.
If you are not comfortable to capture them face to face, try to catch them from behind or when they are not looking. If they are moving, walk in to get in closer just so you could capture them from behind.
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